From: =?ISO-2022-JP?B?GyRCPmVCPCEhTTU7ThsoQg==?=              <mgn-kam <at> PO <dot> HARENET <dot> OR <dot> JP>
Date: 16 jan 1996
Subject: notation

<Transfer from Sunny as he has problems on multiple addressing>

Dear Shogi fans through the world.

I think I have to express once again our status on the notation standard.
Obviously I don't mean abolish existing western system though we have
confidence on the system adopted in the "First step to SHOGI" and other
publications to follow.

I. Our notation

1) Notation on the basic terminology

       Our notation                Western notation

      Sente                                 Black
      Gote                                  White
      Komadai (Piece stand)     Piece stand(or no mention)

2) Notation on pieces

    Our notation(code)       Western notation(code)

      Gyok(G)                    King(K)
      Hisha(H)                   Rook(R)
      Kack(K)                    Bishop(B)
      Kin(Kn)                    Gold(G)
      Gin(Gn)                    Silver(S)
      Keima(Km)                  Knight(N)
      Kyosha(Ky)                 Lance(L)
      Foo(F)                     Pawn(P)

3) Notation on movement, etc.

       Our notation                          Western notation

      Black triangle for Sente                to be ommitted
      White triangle for Gote                (almost the same)
      Plus indication for the promotion
      Equal mark for not promoting option
      Asterisk fot the drop move
      Cross for the capturing move


4) Square code

       Our notation                              Western notation

for files 1 to 9 from left to right                 same
for ranks i to iv from head to bottom               a to i
(to be modified from the new edition)

II. Our standpoint

   Really almost all the clutures in Japan have been introduced to the
world by virtue of foreigners' particularly westerners' efforts and
sacrifices by reading out Kanjis and Kanas while our Japanese have done
nothing.
   As I have written before, unknown truth and value in the Shinju-mono
of Chikamatsu was for the first time unveiled by the remarks of Donald
Keen, "Poor lovers seem to get taller as they make steps (toward their
eternal rest)".
We owe much two Donalds, this Keen and Mr. Richie.

   On this point we appreciate and even admire much the efforts made by
foreigners and don't want to exclude the efforts made in the Shogi world.
   But we have to admit that no one is allowed to change or modify the
authentic culture with tradition proper to the race and nation; you are
allowed to call them by borrowed terms from similar board game in your
culture, but not allowed to adopt them as international standard.
  It should be the "fake Shogi", "false Shogi" or "Japanese Chess".

Randy-san wrote;
>Do you mean one notation for everyone including the players in Japan or
>just for players outside of Japan?

Yes, surely it's another point you have to ponder upon; Japanese (and
every people in the world) would never allow that their own culture shall
spread under borrowed terms.

   Thoe who should be ashamed are Japanese who tend to easily borrow
westerners' efforts giving up their own efforts and authentic perspective
through our and your culture.


K. Sunny SANO
KFF00705 <at> niftyserve <dot> or <dot> jp